Status, responsibilities and missions of ANDRA (France) Marie-Claude DUPUIS ANDRA - CEO Contents 1. Legal framework, organization and general information 2. ANDRA today: An Industrial Operator An Innovating designer-assembler A Public Expert A Diffusion and promotion centre 3. Conclusion
Legal framework, organization and general information ANDRA, a Public Agency since 1991 Prime Minister MINISTRIES REGULATOR : CONTROL & LICENSING Independent Authority ASN Ministry of Energy Ministry of Environment Ministry of Research Technical Support to ASN IRSN Waste Management Organisation ANDRA WASTE PRODUCERS AREVA EDF CEA 700 OTHERS 4
Andra Missions Andra uses its expertise and its know-how, as a public body under State supervision, to design, operate and monitor radioactive waste disposal facilities thereby protecting man and the environment from the impact of such waste, over the long term 1. Operate and monitor the existing surface disposal facilities 2. Study and design solutions for the sustainable management of waste for which there is not yet any specific disposal facilities 3. Collect and take-over radioactive waste from the "small-scale" nuclear waste producers (hospitals, research laboratories, universities...) and radioactive objects owned by private individuals 4. Proceed to the clean up and remediation of former sites contaminated by radioactivity 5. establish, update every three years, and publish the Inventory of radioactive materials and waste, existing in France, as well as its location on the national territory 6. Inform the public 7. Disseminate its know-how in France and abroad The action framework is defined by the Parliament A first law for 15 years research on High Level waste 1991 to 2006, geological repository and alternative solutions A new Planning Act passed in 2006 for RW Management All types of radioactive waste are considered through A National Inventory A Management Plan for Radioactive Materials and Waste (PNGMDR) Both laws define Clear objectives and schedules Assessment system: CNE, ASN, OPECST Information, transparency, reporting requirements Funding schemes for the Agency Polluter-pays principle: contracts or tax system Subsidies for Public Missions
The action plan is given by the Government Principle of the PNGMDR Protection of nature, of the environment and of public health Consistency of the management of radioactive waste: similar safety objectives for all disposal facilities, immediate and long-term protection, performance depending on the nature of the waste and the related disposal facility Technical and economic optimization Rare resource: better use of disposal facilities of radioactive waste (few and offering a limited capacity) Classification of Radioactive Waste Intended for Disposal Short-lived waste Long-lived waste Very low level Waste from dismantling operations Centre de Morvilliers Centre de Morvilliers (waste from dismantling operations) Low level Intermediate level Operating waste from NPPs Centre Aube + Centre MANCHE Graphite, radiumbearing waste Studies stage High level Waste from reprocessing plants Disposal site to be commissioned in 2025 8
Radioactive Waste Inventory download from www.andra.fr 9 National Inventory of Radioactive Materials and Waste 2009 Edition (Total: about 95 million TBq) 10
ANDRA today An Industrial Operator An Innovating designer-assembler A Public Expert A Diffusion and promotion centre Andra: Industrial Operator Low-level and intermediate-level short-lived waste Very-low-level waste
The Centre de la Manche Disposal Facility A facility under post-closure monitoring in the Manche District Shut down in 1994 after reaching its maximum capacity, the Centre de la Manche Disposal Facility accommodated about 527,000 m 3 of low-level and intermediate-level waste over a period of 25 years. During several centuries, the facility and its environment will be monitored on a permanent basis. 13 The Centre de l Aube for LIL waste Operated since 1992 1 million m 3 capacity Planned for 60 years operation Impact: 0.003 μsv/year 14
VLL Waste: the Morvilliers Disposal Facility Commissioned in 2003 630,000 m3 capacity Planned for 30 years operation Challenge: recycling to save space 15 ANDRA: An Innovating designer-assembler High-level and intermediate-level long-lived waste Low-level long-lived waste
Lessons Learnt from the French Experience The project for a deep geological repository is: feasible from a technical standpoint demonstrable from a scientific standpoint safe (its safety may be demonstrated) The project is an outstanding industrial installation combining Underground works and nuclear safety A geological repository is not only a scientific and technical endeavour. It is also a societal challenge: It concerns all citizens It calls for complex decision-making processes with often different stakes and views It requires a clear legal framework, as well as time. 17 Research, Construction and Operation of the Underground Laboratory in Meuse/Haute-Marne (Bure) (Phase 2) Bure 2009 18
Experiments in the Underground Laboratory 19 Deep Geological Repository Project 20
Delineation of a More Favourable Geological Zone 21 Geological Disposal: A Project with a High Added Technological Value 22
Site-selection Process Transposition zone of the Laboratory (250 km²) Interest zone ~30 km² Surface: 2 or 3 implementation scenarios + 2010-2011: Comprehensive survey of the interest zone and development studies on implementation scenarios of surface facilities Proposal by Andra of an implementation site Licence application for the construction of the geological repository Exchanges and dialogue 2005 2009 2012 2013 2015 2016 23 Early 2010: Validation by the government of the underground interest zone and of surface scenarios Public Public debate debate Site approval by the Government Scientific advice Opinion from territorial authorities Law on Reversibility Public Inquiry Authorization decree Low-level long-lived radioactive waste ~ 70,000 m 3 graphite-waste packages for disposal ~48.000 m 3 of radium-bearing waste packages for disposal Piles (dismantling): 81% Industrial residues in drums (RRA) or in (bulk) from Rhodia Cleanup earth from polluted sites Claddings and cores (operation): 8% Various waste from experimental reactors: 1% Industrial residues in drums from Cézus 24
ANDRA: a Public Expert National Radioactive Waste Inventory Recovery of artifacts owned by the public Remediation of polluted sites Recovery of artifacts owned by the public Use of radium to feed animals Radium fountains Lightning Conductors
Polluted site remediation An historical legacy from the discovery of radioactivity A flexible and realistic approach suited to the level of pollution and to the land use A commission launched to define priorities ANDRA: A Diffusion and promotion centre Information and Communication Stakeholder involvement
A diffusion and promotion centre To build confidence and to produce sound reference information To develop European and international exchanges To develop and to promote expert services at the international scale Tools Many publications made available www.andra.fr Visits to the sites, open doors days Involvement in the local and territorial life Involvement in international projects, NEA,IAEA, EC Services to foreign agencies for inventories, waste management strategies, waste specifications, siting, design, safety assessment, scientific and technical reviews Conclusion
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